justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Observations by a Substitute Teacher II

As a substitute teacher, I have the privilege of working with students with learning challenges. In that role, two recent experiences occurred that demonstrated the value of trust in the teacher-student relationship.

In different schools, I was working with two students who were tasked with completing a “match the letter with the picture” exercise. These students were language-challenged in that their use of words was extremely limited, depending on motions and facial expressions to indicate their choices.

In both cases, each student reached out and touched my head – which is absent of hair.

In both cases, each student broke into a huge smile, followed by an increased interest in the task at hand.

Not really sure about the underlying pedagogical basis for this increase in the students’ productivity, but I know that throughout the rest of the school day, each student was engaged to a greater degree than before the “head touch” experience.

I genuinely believe the simple trust earned by allowing a gentle touch to my head – and my gentle acceptance in turn – is as valid as any other pedagogical basis for explaining the increased productivity.